Watch Out For These Home Maintenance Mistakes!

Maintaining a home is a chore, but being consistent with it can actually help you save thousands of dollars on repairs. As a homeowner, it’s best to avoid doing the following:

Ignoring leaks

The smallest plumbing leak can compound over time and lead to a costly repair. Water damage can cause hardwood and laminate floors to warp, create a breeding ground for mold and mildew, and stain walls and ceilings.

If you suspect your pipes are leaking, you need to call a plumber to get the problem fixed before it leads to even bigger plumbing problems.

The same is true for roof leaks. If you notice any water dripping or stains on your ceiling, call a roofer to assess the situation. Source: AngiesList

Underestimating the project

Installing your own carpeting, hardwood, or ceramic tile may seem like an accessible DIY project, but it’s not as easy as it looks. You could run into rotted subfloor under the old flooring, or your measurements could be off by just a bit, leaving you with a floor that looks bad—or worse, one that’s not structurally sound. Source: BobVila

Damaging surfaces with incorrect cleaning supplies

Using these products in the wrong places could permanently damage fixtures and surfaces in your home:

• Vinegar: People prefer using vinegar to clean their homes because it’s cheap and natural, but it can’t be used to clean all surfaces in your home. Using vinegar on surfaces like marble and limestone will dull it. Similarly, cleaning hardwood with vinegar can damage the finish. Do your research before scrubbing everything with a homemade vinegar solution.
• Liquid drain cleaner: Liquid drain cleaners can be a godsend when it comes to pesky clogs, but it must be used sparingly. If your home has older pipes or pipes made of PVC, there’s a chance the cleaner will eat through those as well, leading to expensive leaks and repairs.
• Magic erasers: These handy sponges are perfect for removing scuff marks from walls, but scrubbing them on the wrong surfaces will magically remove sealants and finishes. Avoid using them on stone surfaces, stainless steel, hardwoods, and screens in your home. Source: HomeLight 

Carpet problems are difficult to deal with if you don’t have the right tools. And renting the equipment can be just as pricey as hiring a contractor. If you want a cheaper and a more hassle-free solution to your carpet needs, give us a call!

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Tips on Living with the Old Carpet in Your Rental Home

Do you hate the outdated carpet in your home, but can’t just rip it out because you’re only renting? Here are some things you can do to improve its look:

Have it deep cleaned

Check your landlord’s policy on how often cleaning is done. Most will guarantee that they are cleaned between tenants, and some have an additional every two year policy. So if you’re just moving in, do a sight and smell check (as in get down on your hands and knees and sniff!) to make sure they are in decent condition before unpacking all your gear. If your landlord refuses to step up to the cleaning plate, it’s worth shelling out the money to have it done yourself. If smells persist try back peeling back the carpet in an inconspicuous spot to check the carpet pad, which is often the source of the problem since it can’t be cleaned. If there is a serious layer of dirt-like substance, it might be the case that the carpet pad has broken down, in which case it’s back to the landlord. Source: ApartmentTherapy

Use an area rug

Cover all — or at least most — of that ugly carpet using an area rug. One large area rug per room can cover a majority of the carpeting beneath it. If the original carpeting still shows around the perimeter of the room, select rugs that contain neutrals or colors that coordinate with the original floor covering. For instance, if the carpeting is dark green, a beige area rug with a thin green line or vine pattern makes the carpet look a little less hideous. You can also make your own area rug large enough to fit the room by purchasing a carpet remnant, binding the edges with carpet binding and seam tape. Source: Hunker

Dye the carpet new

Covering, hiding, and camouflaging are great ways to salvage a distasteful carpet that you can’t replace, but there are other approaches you can take. For example, you can dye your carpet to restore faded color, fix spot and stains, or even change the color to a different shade or hue. Before considering this solution, make sure your carpet is made of the right fabric. Nylon and wool carpets can be dyed, but polyester, acrylic, and polypropylene cannot. While dyeing a carpet yourself will be lighter on the wallet, the project could have mixed results. For a quality finish, think about hiring a professional, which should set you back about a third of the cost of having the carpet replaced. Source: BobVila

We can help make any dingy carpet look new again. Call us for a free estimate!

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Is it Time to Replace Your Carpet?

If you’ve been thinking for a while whether it’s time to install new carpet at home, you might want to look out for these signs:

Irregularities in shape

If your carpet’s pile once stood tall but now looks flat and matted in some areas no matter how hard you try to remedy the situation, the carpet may be past its prime. Polyester and olefin fibers are prone to matting, especially in the areas walked upon the most. Even Berber carpeting made from looped fibers may succumb to matting over time. If you’ve cleaned, combed and done all you could to fluff old carpeting back up, but nothing seems to help, it’s time to replace the carpet. A carpet that seems stretched beyond its original shape, creating ripples, warps and tripping points throughout the room, is also ready for replacement. Source: Hunker

Allergies getting worse

It can be difficult to remove dust, pet dander and pollen that embeds in carpet fibers over time. If you or your loved ones notice more sneezing, itchy eyes or coughing, it may be that the problem is beneath your feet. The Mayo Clinic recommends using a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter or opting for linoleum or hardwood if you’re truly concerned. Source: SeattleTimes

Foul odor despite deep cleaning

If you notice that deep cleans just aren’t banishing the bad smells, that likely means the issue isn’t in your carpet alone — it could be in the padding or floor beneath the carpet. How you handle the problem depends on the type of smell. If your pet is the root cause of the issue, you’ll likely need a full replacement. If you notice a musty smell, that could mean you have a water or mold problem. In that case, carpet replacement may be necessary after a mold remediation specialist takes a look at things. Source: HomeGuides.SFGate

If you’re still a little hesitant due to the price tag that comes with replacing your old carpet, give us a call and let’s see whether we can still make it look like new!

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How to Soundproof Your Home Office

Are you thinking about turning part of your home into an office so you can work more peacefully? Lessen the noise and distractions by following these simple steps:

Install a carpet

Thick padding installed underneath dense carpeting can help reduce the noise in a large room. If you have wooden or tile floors, add a large area rug to muffle the sounds within your room. Situate a non-skid rug pad under your area rug to further reduce the noise level. Position an area rug on top of low-nap carpet to provide an additional layer of sound absorption. Carpets or rugs that are plusher and cushier absorb noise better than their thin counterparts. Source: HomeGuidesSFGate

Use heavy curtains

Good curtains work wonders against street noise coming through flimsy windows. Thicken the material between the room and the noise with lined curtains, window dressing made from bulky fabric like velvet, or specialty noise-absorbing drapes (which usually have a thick wool core stitched between the decoative fabric). Source: ApartmentTherapy

Replace your windows

Newer, better windows are nearly always better at slowing transmission of exterior sound. Many homeowners install triple-pane windows as much for their sound-deflecting qualities as for potential energy savings.

If you have older style aluminum-framed windows, you are better off with vinyl, fiberglass, or wood framed windows. These older windows do not have a thermal break between outside and inside, making the inside colder.

Storm windows add yet another layer of glass and can be self-installed, saving money. While their sound reduction qualities are only minimal, storm windows are easy to put on, easy to take off, very cheap, and not visible. Source: TheSpruce

If you want to have carpet installed in your new home office, contact us and we’ll even give you some advice on which type of fiber will suit your lifestyle best!

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Here’s How You Can Say Goodbye to Carpet Beetles

Have you noticed the appearance of these pests on your carpeted floors? Today, we’ll teach you how to deal with this annoying problem.

What are carpet beetles?

The common variegated carpet beetle is recognisable by its oval-shaped, grey, brown and cream mottled body. Although it measures only 2-4mm in length, its larvae can cause considerable damage to wool carpets as well as feather-filled soft furnishings.

The adults are most active in late Spring and early Summer but the larvae won’t hatch until the Autumn, when you will start to see damage. Source: Good HouseKeeping

How to get rid of them?

Spray or dust your carpet and furniture with an insecticide. There are many different types of carpet treatment products that you can buy. Make sure that whatever spray or dust you’re applying is for killing carpet beetles specifically, and check the label of chemical insecticides to make sure that the product contains chlorpyrifos, bendiocarb, and allethrin in order to ensure eradication success. 

• Chemical insecticides may be harmful to other animals, so if you have any pets make sure to secure them in a location away from where the insecticide is sprayed or dusted.
• Spread boric acid all over your carpet and upholstered furniture, and make sure to vacuum it up within two hours of laying it down. While it is lethal for beetles, boric acid isn’t powerful enough to harm humans. 
• Dehydrate carpet beetles with diatomaceous earth. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth on pet beds and in the back of cabinets and closets. It’s safe for pets and humans, but you’ll need to wear a respirator or mask while applying to keep yourself from inhaling the particles. 
• Many common household pesticides that kill ants and roaches will also kill carpet beetles, or simply limit their food supply. Spray the product in corners of closets, on window ledges, and in any crevices that could potentially house carpet beetles. Source: WikiHow

Do a deep clean

To be on the safe side, it’s advisable to deep clean any upholstery around the carpet as some beetles may have strayed away and made their home in these fabrics. If this is the case, they will multiply and find their way back to your carpet. To deep clean your upholstery, vacuum the material thoroughly using an appropriate attachment. Don’t leave out any crevices or narrow spaces as bugs tend to hide in these areas. Next, make a solution of white vinegar and water (equal parts) and spritz it over the upholstery; leave it to air dry. Vinegar acts as a natural bug repellent that doesn’t stain or smell. Source: Build

Carpet beetles can cause damage to your carpet. But don’t worry! We can take care of that. Call us today to book an appointment.

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Best Flooring Options for Pets

Are you a fur parent looking for the perfect flooring that requires minimal upkeep? Here are some of the top picks for you:

Bamboo

Bamboo is an excellent flooring for pets for many different reasons. It’s harder than the hardest hardwoods, meaning it will stand up to more traffic. It won’t wear out, and it’s completely renewable. This makes it a good choice for those who are trying to be green. Bamboo is stain resistant, so people don’t have to worry about accidents or spills. Bamboo’s hardness will help save money when compared flooring that will require repairs from scratches. For those who are trying to decide between using wood and vinyl flooring, choosing bamboo floors is a great compromise. Source: BuildDirect

High-performance carpet

Pets do love carpeting; there’s just something to be said about having carpeting in your home that a pet can run across and roll around upon without destroying the fibers. High-performance carpeting continues to improve in terms of spill, soil, and stain resistance, and manufacturers now produce a wide assortment of styles and textures, so homeowners are not as limited as they were 5-10 years ago. Bellera High-Performance Carpet from Shaw Industries is one of the newest on the market that comes not only with promises for durability, but warranties to suit. We know lots of people who have replaced carpeting in their homes and opted for a high-performance product that’s both as soft as any carpet you’d want, but also durable for pets (and the active kids who keep them on their toes). Source: HGTV

Stone, tile, and concrete

Hard flooring options such as stone, tile, and concrete are most likely to withstand the constant wear and tear of clawed feet. These hard surfaces are also the easiest to clean after a wet dog does its trademark shake, a long-haired cat sheds its fur, or an untrained pup leaves behind a messy surprise. As a downside, flooring made of stone, tile, or concrete can get chilly during cold weather, and dogs may be uncomfortable relaxing on the hard surfaces. Both issues, though, can be addressed easily by scattering thick rugs and pet beds throughout your home. As an alternative solution, some homeowners may choose to install heated floorboards. Source: BobVila

Play around freely with your pet knowing that we’re here to take care of any carpet troubles. Call us if your carpet needs some repair!

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How to Patch Carpet

Is a damaged area on your carpet starting to irritate you? Say goodbye to this small annoyance by replacing that portion with some pieces that you might have left from the installation. Or, cut out some parts from hidden spots using the following tips: 

Mark the area

Use an awl or capped pen to establish a square around the damaged area. Press the instrument into the carpet between the tufts and drag it. This separates the tufts and minimizes the number of tufts that will get cut.

Cut the damaged part

Use your carpet or utility knife to cut the carpet along the lines of the square. Try your best to cut only the backing of the carpet, avoiding tufts. Carefully remove the section of carpeting. If any carpet fibers remain attached, cut them rather than pull them away. Source: TheSpruce

Prepare the carpet patch

Next, cut a replacement plug, using the cutout as a template. To start, make a first cut in the replacement material, using a straightedge to guide your carpet knife. Then set the cutout on the replacement material with one edge aligned along that first cut. When you lay the cutout on top of the replacement material, make sure their naps are running in the same direction. You can tell which direction the nap is running by rubbing your hand over the carpeting and watching which way the fibers fall or stand up. Once you have the cutout lined up correctly, part the fibers around the three uncut sides just as you did before.

Cut along the parts and test-fit the plug in the cutout hole, making sure the nap of the plug matches the nap of the surrounding carpet. If the plug is a little too big, trim off a single row of fibers with sharp scissors (old, dull scissors will tear the fibers). Source: FamilyHandyman

Put the patch in place

Groom away any loose carpet fibers from the edge of the hole. Check the fit before applying any glue. Then, put down a thin layer of carpet glue along the edges of the adhesive disk. Place the patch into the hole, taking care to make sure the fit is snug and even. Press lightly to allow the backing on the patch to come into contact with the underlying tape and adhere properly. 

• Align the patch so that the direction of the fibers in the patch match the direction of the fibers in the rest of the carpet.
• You have about 15 minutes to position and align the patch perfectly before the glue sets, permanently anchoring your patch in place. Work quickly. Source: WikiHow

Are you afraid to mess up this DIY job and end up causing more damage? Let a professional do it for you in just an instant. Call us today to set up an appointment!

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